Solenoid-operated latch



E. M. SORENG ET AL SOLENOID-OPERATED LATCH ug. 5, E952 Filed May 25, 1945 Aug. 5, 1952 E. M. soRENG ET AL. 2,506,052

SOLENOID-OPERATED LATCH Filed May 23, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 A118 5 1952 E. M. SORENG ETAL 2,606,052

` soLENoIn-oPERATED LATCH Filed May 25, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Aug. 5, 1952 E. M. soRENG ErAL 2,606,052

SOLENOID-OPERATED LATCH Filed May 25, 1945 4 sheets-sheet 4 70 "75 j @WM5-07E@ -r faeyems" Patented Aug. 5, 1952 UNITED @STATES PATENT I`()I-`FICl`.f i

' i l l V, lasoaolml L Y 'sloLENoIn-orERATED'LATCH Y y Edgar M. Soreng, Skokie, and John Juergens.

Algonquin, Ill., assignors, by lmesne -assignments, to Seeger-Sunbeam Corporation, a corporation of Minnesota c Application May 23, 1945, serial No; 595,406

The present invention relates to refrigerating apparatus and is concerned. more particularly with improvements in automatically controlled door latching andreleasing devicesfor refrig-` erators. 'l

A principal object of the present invention is to provide. a door latching mechanism for-refrigerators which may be released bythe simple expedientrof surfaceicontact or vabutment without requiring excessive actuating `power 4while yet providing Aa secure and powerful` latch. mechanism for holding the door closed against inadvertent release influences. 1

.It is also an object of the present invention to providea latch operating apparatus electrically controlled and equipped with an' inertia circuit breaker, in Vorder toprevent 'the actuation of thek release control switch from@ resulting as an incident tothe movement'of theidoor during its closure.

I y Y Other objectsY of the present'invention are such as will appear during the course ofthe following description and include such-features-'as will be pointedout more specically'hereinafter.

Briefly stated the invention comprises a latch mechanism in which the latch-bolt isf maintained under the pressure oa 'relatively rm spring element in which there is incorporated a break down linkage for permitting the latch to recede upon overcoming a relatively milder spring action which may `be actuatedby means of anV interior control force such as for example an elec tricallykoperated solenoid. The breakdown linkage is preferably maintained rigid so that the major holding force of the'firmertension spring'obtains during all of the .time exceptwhen the release mechanism is actuated either through -the function of the electrical control solenoid ora's a result of manual actuation as will be noted more specically hereinafter; f

The solenoid is designed in connection-with the breakdown linkage to operate in a manner whichV circumvents the influence of1.thelstrong spring and its electrical control isl eiTe'cted through the medium of` a contact switch mechanismV preferably located, on the kfore .portion of the refrigerator doorywhere lit iseXposed'to-"be engaged byl an operator upon slightisurface pressure which may be effected by. simplylean'ing against a crown button.V `The switch'mechanism includes. among other thingsua pairA off overcentering lever svstems. the 'first one' offwhi'ch is actuated bv the initial contact lwith the crown button. whereupon as va result of itsover-.center ing action the second lever :s'ystem'isbrought f5 claims. (o1.,asia-4144 V i characters f into eiective operating conditionv momentarily closing the solenoid-actuating circuit, but in so doing introducing the operating Ycurrent into the coil of the solenoid for alprecise interval of time which isadequate to Withdraw vthe latch bolt without unduly extending the solenoid energizing-time beyond the minimum requirement of latch release operation. l

In the solenoid actuating circuit there is preferably located an inertia apparatus controlling a'subservientA circuit breaker. This apparatus isdesigned to voperate during the closing or slamming action ofthe door so that the-eiectfupon theucr'own button by reason of thez door closure which might otherwise result in the inadvertent intiation'- of the control switch will be prevented from so doing due VAto thefopeningofthe subservient circuitl breaker, thereby preventing the inertia efectresulting'vrom the closure of the door from releasing the latch bolt and consequently from repeated false opening operations which might otherwise ensue.v For abetter understanding ofthe present inventionreference will now be had to the accompanying vdrawings and tothe `following detailed specification in which like reference designate corresponding v parts throughout and in' which: y i

Fig.^1 isa `front elevation of a typical refrigerator and door construction having the lower portion broken away and illustrating one adaptation of. the present invention applied thereto,-

Fig. 2 is an `enlarged sectional detail view showing a refrigerator door hinge particularly designed for use in conjunction with one adaptation of the present invention, 1 Figf vis an enlarged elevational detail view of the'latchoperating mechanism with a portion ofA the door shell removed so as to reveal posterior details of construction,

Fig. 4 is-a plan sectional view taken approximately on the line indicated 4--4 of Fig. 3` and showing'lthe `refrigerator door latch and solenoid apparatus in plane elevation, f y Fig. 5 isa plan sectional View of the saine apparatusV featured in Fig.' 4 but taken on a line designated 5-5 in Fig. 3, l i Y Fig. 6' 'sia fragmentary-horizontal `section taken on a linesimilartothat ofv Fig. 5 but illustrating a portion lonly of the latch releasing mechanism in' its actuated condition, 1 Fig. '7 is a sectional detail view taken approximately on line 1-7 of Fig. 5,

Fig.` 8 is a front elevational view of the switch control apparatus with thel crown button removed to reveal the interior of the button mechanism housing,

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view taken approximately on a line indicated 9-9 on Fig. 8,

Fig. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken approximately on line IIJ--ID of Fig. 9 and features the inertia controlled subservient circuit breaker mechanism,

Fig. 1l is a detail sectional view taken approximately on a line designated I I-I I on Fig. 8,

Fig. 12 is a transverse sectional view similar to Fig. 11 but illustrating the crown button and over-centering lever mechanisms in their actuated condition during which the solenoid operating circuit has been momentarily closed.

Fig. 13 is a further sectional view resembling Figs. l1 and 12, but indicating the ultimate condition following the crown button operation,

Fig. 14 is a rear elevational view of the switch casing illustrating a mechanical operating linkage for controlling the latch mechanism independently of the electric system and Fig.` l5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken approximately on line I5-I5 of Fig. 2.

Referring now more particularly tothe accompanying drawings, attentionV is directed to Figs. 1 and 2 wherein the reference character'I designates a refrigerator box or casing having a hinged front sealing door 2A which is provided with a perimetrically defining lip 2a formed in spaced relation from the door plate 2 and at an angle with respect thereto. A rear door plate designated 2b parallels the front plate 2 and connecting the perimetric lip 2a tothe rear plate 2b,y there may be` noted a spacing and heat insulating strip 2c after the manner of conventional refrigerator door practice. The angle at which thestrip 2c is disposed parallels that of a door casing generally designated 2d which. comprises a lsomewhat heavier strip of heat insulati ing materia-l specifically denoted 2e..

Within the strip 2e and; in horizontal alignment with the latch mechanism generally designated 3 isa metallic striker pla-te3azy formed with a latch engaging; shoulder 26 against which there is adapted to repose the latch nose |6 rounded at I6a so as to be cammed into compression position, Fig. 6, upon engagement with the striker surface IIb,` during the closureV of the door. The latch bolt' I6` is preferably confined for limited longitudinal. movement within a metallic shell I1 and integral with said bolt there is provided a guide tail I8 consisting of two flatparallel strips between which is a pivoted link 2|. In order to maintain parallelism, in the movement of the bolt I6 the guide strips ortal members I8 are preferably providedy with outwardly protruding embossments I9, Fig.` 7, that are; each confined within associatedlslots 20 formed inthe top and bottom sides of the shell I1.

Link 2| is pivoted within the bolt head |61 at 2Ia for limitedrmovement with respect thereto while the rearmostextremity of link 2|: isfprovided with an elongated slot 2-2 through which there passesva rod 23, Figs. 5 and 6.v A compression spring 21 of the coil type encircles link 2| urging against the rear surfaceof,- bolt head I6 and against the rod- 273.r This spring.2.1"will be spokeny of as comparatively stouterin:V its force and is the elementk which undergoes `com-- pression when the bolt I6V iscammed' upon'. encountering the camming surface |6b of the striker plate 3a.

Rod 23 is partV of an integralv lever 24 pivoted at 32h toa bell eranktlever-32. Thefmovement of link 24 is influenced by another link 24a through which the rod 23 also passes and which in turn is pivoted on a stationary pivot bar 25 around which there is wound a helical spring 33, one end 33a of which abuts against a surface of the shell I1 and the other end of which abuts against a rib 33h integral with lever 24a. Spring 33 will be spoken of as the milder tensioning influence and its effect is to maintain lever 24a in the position designated in Fig. 5.

VAs may be noted from Fig. '1 shell I1 is secured as by riveting |1a to a latch frame member 3b, one end of which is secured as at 3c to the lip 2a and which extends horizontally to provide-rearmost support as at 3d for the solenoid slide tube 3la. The bell crank 32 in addition to being pivoted at 32D to the link 24 is also pivoted at 32a 4to the fore portion of the solenoid 3| which is appropriately slotted for receiving this member thereat. A free arm 94 of the bell crank 32 normally is disposed in the manner illustrated in Figures 3. 4, and 5, so as to be engageable by the extremity of an operating lever 89 pivoted at 90, when the latter is actuated, clockwise, as viewed in Fig. 3 in opposition to its individual restoration spring 92a. In order to obtain a mechanical advantage in cam lever B9, it. is provided with a curved cammed surface 93 which has a wiping engagement with arm 94 during the condition of actuation when said lever 89 is rotated as already stated through the lift action of a link 81, arm 86, and rotatable spindle 42.

The principal latch supporting frame :ib-3d. is reinforced by means of a connecting support plate 92, one end of which extends through a slot of member 3d and the other end of which is held by av securement screw 92d to an intermediate surface of the principal frame member 3. As may be noted from Figs. 3, 4, and 5 supporting platey 92 is provided withan opening 93 through which. there protrude portions of the bell crank 32, solenoid plunger^3| and impact cushion washers 981 carried upon the plunger 3|. Lever 89 which is pivotally supported at 90 on a bracket 9| is: provided with an ear 88 to which the link rod 81 is articulated, Figs. 3 and 4.

Solenoidplunger 3| slides within a journal tub-- ing 3|a around which is wound the actuating' coil 304 electrically energized to attract plunger 3| to thereby move the latter rightwardly asv viewed in Figs. 4: and 5 until the impact washers 98 impinge against the stop wall 91. As a result of such energization bell crank 32 is bodily moved: rightwardly andv inso doing is rocked about pivot 32a to assumeA the position designated in Fig. 6'.v As a further result of this movement link 24 becomes disposed' as indicated in Fig. 6 and link 24a is rotated counter-clockwise about pivot rod' 25 against the influence' of. its restoration spring 33. It is' to be noted that" in so doing the pivot"l bar 2-3- is moved' downwardly carrying with it link 24 and withdrawing latch bolt I6 without i'n anyv appreciable manner affecting the majorv force spring 21.r -During' such condition of 'operation the total` restorative influence is maintained'by the minor spring 335 and normal condition may beresumed' as soon as' thev magnetic effect of coil 30 is 'released or' as soon as the mechanical control over lever 89 is released'.

The opposite terminals ofthe winding of solenoid 30 are'conveniently mounted' upon an insulated mounting strip 3f, Figs'. 3 and 4, onto the lower extremity of Vwhich there maybe provided appropriate terminal tti'ngs 3g and 3h', to one of which 1s connected an electrical conductor 84 and to the other of which is connected a companion conductor 84a, see Figs. 1, 10 and 11, conductors 84 and 84a being part of a cable 69a coming from the switch control housing 5, Fig. 14,or\being independent lead wires as may b preferred. f'

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 8 to vlfl, the reference character 40 designates generally a cup shaped housing formedof electrical- -ly insulated material and designed to be carried byy theouter surface of the door 2, as best indicated in Figs. 1 and 10. The housing 40 is provided with a cylindrical wall section 40a open at .its Yupper extremity and thereat over-covered bya crown button 44 having a iiuted flange portion 4a and preferably made of a translucent or vrtransparent material. YThe crown cap or button v44,is riveted as at 5a to the spindle 42, see also Fig. 3, so that upon the depression of the crown cap 44, the spindle 42 is shifted downwardly, Figs. 11,v 12, and 13, and upon being rotated clockwise Figs. 1 and 3, the integral spindle 42 is correspondinglyrotated causing arm 86 to be raised for effecting themechanical actuationof the latch control mechanism. The cap 44 thus .constitutes a protective; covering for the casing 40 as well as serving asa mechanical andelectrical actuating medium.. By constructing .this member of translucent material and coating its inner surface as at 43a, with a luminous substance, the crown capV may be made visible indarkness. Alternatively towards the same objective there may be provided within the case 40 a small glow tube I I, preferably of the neon type, whose luminosity may be observed through the translucent or transparent crown .button 44 where a more leiective index is desired.

The case 40 is provided'with integral dependent formations that extend into. appropriate openings of the door thickness 2 as'at 82a and at 4 la, within which are housed mechanicaldevices to bev described later. .The spindle 42 is journaled for, longitudinal as well as rotational movement in thewell journal 4la and at its upper extremity carries a iianged sleeve 50 whose fiange 49 rests upon the upper convolution of a'compression spring 48. A flanged sleeve l encircling sleeve 50A has `a flange 52 resting upon the upper surface o f-a contact lever 53 pivoted at 5 4. It is to be vnoted 4that sleeve 5| is of somewhat shorter len'gththanis sleeve 5!) so that upon the depression` ofcrown button 44 sleeve 50 is carried down- -`wardly to'eiect the depression of spring 48 before sleeve 5l begins its downward movement. Accordingly it will be understood that the space intervening flanges 52 and'49 will become slightly Vgreater as portrayed in Figs. 12 and 13 during theinitial portion of the button vactuation orl otherwise stated contact leve`r53 will be afforded a`-"clearance for its counter-clockwise rotation 'about pivot 54 shortly before such rotation becomes induced by the action of iiange 52. An over-centering spring loop 64 is connected by lug 'penetration into the lever r53 at one of its ends and to` a'stationary bracket 6| at the other, exerting a mild pressure towards influencing lever'53 in one .direction or the other about its pivot 54. This is clockwise in Fig. 11, due to the fact that theimpingement point of spring 64 against lever 53 is somewhat higherV than the impingement pointf of spring 64 against the bracket 6I. As soon as the movement of lever 53 is compelled by thefaction of flange 52, however, this relative condition is at once reversed with the impingement points displaced in an opposite relationship whereupon the expansible tensionof spring 64 becomes directed towards the service of rotating lever 5 3 in a counterclockwise directionabout its pivot 54 and thereupon the l electrical contact projection'l is driveninto engagement:- with its cooperating contact projection 68 .carriedby a contactlever 69. La, .l n z' ,1

The two impingement pointsfof over-centering spring 64 Aare designated 65 and 6 5 in;Fgs.x.11 and 13 andthe mannenof action is bestrpor.- trayedin Fig. 12 which illustrates the momentary condition when contact projection 61 is Vbrought into engagement with its cooperating projection 68 and `before lever 69 has become influenced in its pivotal action about its own pivotcenterlu.

The motion of lever 5 3 continues counter.- clockwise dwelling in the condition illustratedin Fig. 12 foraprecise predetermined .intervaLduring which the, contactual engagement, between projections 61 and 68 energized thesolenoid after which lever 69 moves downwardly effecting the over-centering spring '[6 in the same manner as was the case above described in connection with over-centeringspring 64, that isto say. the impingemenli surface 16a is made'lowerthanthe impingement surface .'IGbwhereupon lever 6,9is driven downwardly or lcounter-clockwise .about its pivotk 1.0 to anextent illustrated in;,Fig. 1.3.

Meanwhile lever 53 reachesitslowermost limit of vtravelwhile lever 69 Arides Oneparating.- the contact projections 61 and 68 to establish the condition illustrated in Fig. 13.-For the'sakepf clarifying thesurrounding structureitwill now be mentioned that the impingement surface 1161) of spring `'I6 engages withaninert, bracket 'l 5 whichisanchored in an embossmentfIS and the lowermost extremity of travel of lever 69;is'attained when its insulated block 18 strikes the floor of the housing 46. A bracketl 12-ghaving a` pairrfof ears 'Il provides V a trunnionfsupport forpivot screw l0 just as does the bracket 56 withv its ears y similarly serve the pivot54., f Y

Thereafter the actuatingpressure isqrelieved from the crown cap 44 and this membentogether with its shaft 42 andunderthe influence ,of compression spring 48 pressing against flange. seek to resume their normalcondition Vasfeatured in Fig. 11. rThe upper surfaceof ilange 49 firstA encounters thev under surface-of, lever 53 fduring this upward travelraising the latter memberuntil the extremity 8B thereof comes into `contact-:with the under surface of the yoke` 62, formedfo insulation material, whose sides a extenddownfwardly and are imbedded in the; insulatedblock 18s; Due tothe greater, force of ,spring 48 ,the

powenthereby V,exerted raises Jever, 69 as levei .53 vapproaches its uppermost limit of travel. both o fgthe levers `pass the VVcritical Yor median pointu. of @their respective over-centering springs Eiland 16, theglatter elements become effective in the servicepfw maintaining said vlevers 53 and 69 in their ormai setting 15 .portrayed in 11. Frmfthis it will `be seen that the actuating motion of thecrown cap44 no matter how manipulated by anvoperator will result invan invariable response so far as the actuation of contacts 6'] and 68 is concerned, the sole provision being that saidcap be moved downwardly -or inwardly throughout its full course of travel which operation maybe conveniently effected by the simple expedient of leaning or pressing against its generous breadth or area.- The anchor plates 'l2 and 55 which support the pivots 10 and 54 :re spectively, serve also as contact terminals .electrically conducting cable 85 to the imbedded terminal 85a. Cylinder 82 is preferably of predetermined mass and is shouldered so as to rest upon a'c'ompression spring 85 of sufi'cie'n't tension to maintain the cylinder 82 at its upward extremity-whereat the contactv lug 82d engages a contact projection-Von `the bracket extension 56a'.

Terminal 85a is electrically connected with the f More-mentioned lead conductor 84a that 'extends to one of the terminals of solenoid winding 30. In the same manner electrical conductor 84 mentioned above is connected to the bracket 12. It will be understood accordinglyv that by means'of the two contact levers 53 and 69 there .may be obtained a momentary enclosureof the circuit illustrated in Fig. 1 which results in the energization of solenoid and that periodicity of this closure is mechanically regulated by the provisions of the mechanism contained in the switchgenerally indicated 43, to a precise predetermined interval... A

It will be noted also that this circuit may be interrupted by the action of cylinder B2 separating from contact plate a coincident with the slamming of the'door 2, if such movement is of sufficient violence to set up an inertia factor' that influencesv the crownfcap 44. In other words, the mass of cylinder' 82 is preferably comparable to that of cap 44 so thatthe two masses are moved in unison, thereby preventing the energizationof solenoid 30 except when the actuator crown cap 44 is moved intentionally by an operator as distinguished from` its movement inadvertently due to'theinertiaeiect ofA closing the door. l

AThe illuminated index I 0I may be' appropriately connected to the line circuit which isi designated by the cable 6' in any manner and the par- -tisular circuit arrangement involving the' introduction of the power line 5 to the solenoid actuating' circuit is believed also to be a matter of preference to accordV with` convenience: of 'a1-- rar1'gemen't'.

.. Fmnflpig;Y 1 itfwiufbe noted than me cable s 4 extends thrcuglta. hollow pivotal shaft'A 1f which forms part of a speciali pintlerstructurefor'the .upper pivotSfof-the door 2. `This structure may forcement platey y I 2 nwelded thereat-. appro? priate spacinggasket- I-3a` intervenes between the top vI3 of the door Zand the casing'flang'e [3b of the refrigerator box-f An anchor' bracket 8 that may be made 'of sheet materialis secured by anchor screws 8c to ja' rigid portion'f'oi" the boxv I and, integral with the bracket' 8T, there' may' be provided horizontal flange sections!!` Iand' IIIVV in which are carried the-journal bearings I'I. From Fig'. .2 it will bel noted that'a pair of oppositely wound torsion coil springs I4 and I5are disposed around sleeve 1. each having its' remote' end. engaging an anchor pin 9a and IIIa', andl itsr'iiean ends terminating Vin vertically extending labut ment portions I4a and I5. In the space which intervenes between the coil springs I4 and I5 a. collar member 1b is secured to the sleeve 1 and is provided with a projecting lug 1c disposed between the spring terminals I4a and I5a. The arrangement of the aforedescribed elements` is such that during the closed position of door 2 lug 1c engages the projection I5a of spring I5, setting up a force inthe latter coil which will effect the opening of the door as soon as the latch bolt I6 is withdrawn from engaging the strike shoulder i'I.v When the door` is' opened and moved throughout a limited are 'of motion, approximately' 20 to 30 degrees preferably, the force in the spring I5 becomes spent and upon the-further movement ofr the door in'its opening direction, lug 1c engages the spring terminal I4a, winding its coils I4 and setting up a force which tends to close the' door as soon as' the opening force exerted by the operator is released. Accordingly. there will be an intermediatefposition at which the door 2 may remain open that is free from the ilniiuence of either spring I4 or I5 or which may beA the result of a neutralizing effect of both of said springs'if such an arrangement is preferred but otherwise each spring serves a purpose'v in directing the door from either of its extremities of movement towards the aforementioned' inter'i mediate position.

It will' be noted that regardless of the movement of the door, no twisting is imparted to the cable i6 `whereby line current is broughtr in to effect the operationlof thev door unlatchingsolenoid 30 and the lighting of index bulb IUI.

WhileV the foregoing invention has been explained and described with reference to a spe-y cific embodiment it is to be'understod neverthe' less thatinurnerous modifications' and variations may be instituted without departing from the essential spirit or scope thereof. ,"Accordingly,A it is not intended to be limited, in c'onst'rui'ng the realm of this invention .toA the" particulars described in the' foregoing detailed specification nor toV theV specic illustrations of the' accompanying drawings except as indicated in the hereunto appended claims.

LA cammenA stimulus contrer mechanism for refrigerator door' latches having" both mechanical aridi electromagneticactuating devices comprising?,- a base member, a pair of electricali contacts conta-indi-'n said basemember, one of salidcon mets Said pairA e'ingpivoliy mounted' to move into and cutoffl engagement withotherrof the contacts ofsaid pair, overcentering spring means for' yieldably maintaining said pivotd contact in either its vclosed or' ope'n companion coijita'ct 'engaging Iposition. a' de'pressil'il knob l' 'by said base'rneinber hav'r'ig'articulaton with' 'idpivjote'd' contact to move: said Contact between' its'` alternative positions; a springfor maintaining said` knob normally' in its- -contee-it opening position, angadditional pair of electrical contacts inelectrical series connection-with said rlrstmentionedpair ofelectrical contactafone of the contacts of said' additional -p'airA `beiing a weighted inertia member' ada-pied` to separate fro-rn its associated contact of said additionalE pair during violent closure' movement of refrigerator door, spring. means for returning said' inertia con# tact member to itsclosedposition with respect to. its associated contact',V and an energizing cirouitri'rioldi'ng both Sadrst mentioned and additional contact pairs for electrically energizing said electromagnetic device.

2. In a latch operating mechanism for refrigerator doors having a latch bolt spring tensioned into door latching position and adapted to be retracted by an electromagnetic device or by a train oi linkage which withdraws the latch bolt mechanically, said operating mechanism including a protuberant knob slidably mounted on a sleeve in response to pressure on the knob, and rotatable relative to the sleeve in response to the application of a torque force, said linkage including a centrally disposed spindle secured to the knob and rotatable therewith, a connecting arm carried by the spindle and in operative connection with a link member attached tol a cam lever, a bell crank pivctally carried on a slidable sup-1- port and pivoted to a second link connected to a toggle which retracts bolt when the toggle is broken, cam lever engaging one arm of the bell crank to pivot the bell crank to retract the bolt through said second link and toggle.

3. In a latch operating mechanism for refrigerator doors having a latch bolt spring tensioned into door latching position and adapted to be sleeve in response to pressure on the knob, and i rotatable relative to the sleeve in response to the application of a torque force, said linkage including a centrally disposed spindle secured to the knob and rotatable therewith, a connecting arm carried by the spindle and in operative connection with a link member attached to a cam lever, a bell crank pivotably carried on a slidable support, a toggle comprising two links, one end of one link being connected to the bolt, one end of the other link being connected to the bolt support, the remaining ends of the links being connected together and a third link connected to the connection between the toggle links, said third link being adapted to break the toggle, said cam lever engaging one arm of the bell crank to pivot the bell crank to retract the bolt through said third link and toggle.

4. In a latch operating mechanism for a refrigerator door in which a common latch bolt is spring tensioned into door latching position, the combination with an electromagnetic device for withdrawing the latch bolt upon the completion of its energizing circuit and a train of linkage for withdrawing the latch bolt mechanically, of a common operator which comprises the initiating stimulus for both said electromagnetic device and train of linkage alternatively including a protuberant knob supported on a cylindrical mounting sleeve so as to be susceptible to axial depression by longitudinal movement within said sleeve as well as to limited rotation in response to the administration thereto of a torque force Ail) by rotation within said sleeve, electrical contact means for completing said energizing circuit closed in response to said axial depression of said common operator, and a lever arm pivotable by said limited rotation of said common operator in response to the administration thereto of said torque force, said lever arm being operatively connected to the train of linkage used for withdrawing the latch bolt.

5. In a latch operating mechanism for a refrigerator door in which a common latch bolt is spring tensioned into door latching position, the combination with an electromagnetic device for withdrawing the latch bolt upon the completion of its energizing circuit and a train of linkage for withdrawing the latch bolt mechanically, of a common operator which comprises the initiating stimulus for both said electromagnetic device and train of linkage alternatively including a protuberant knob sup-ported on a cylindrical mounting sleeve so as to be susceptible to axial depression by longitudinal movement within said sleeve as well as to limited rotation in response to the administration thereto of a torque force by rotation within said sleeve, electrical contact means for completing said energizing circuit closed in response to said axial depression of said common operator, a lever arm pivotable by said limited rotationpof said common operator in response to the administration thereto of said torque force, said lever arm being operatively connected to the train of linkage used for withdrawing the latch bolt, a spring loaded contact element in said energizing circuit movable away from a companion contact element in a direction parallel to that of said common operator during the latters axial depression movement, said spring loaded contact element having mass and inertia characteristics approximating those of said common operator whereby violent closure of the refrigerator door suiiicient to effect momentary axial depression movement of said common operator by reason of inertia resulting in the completion of said energizing circuit will also cause a corresponding momentary opening of Said energizing circuit at said spring loaded contact element.

EDGAR M. SORENG. JOHN JUERGENS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,262,651 David Apr. 16, 1918 2,193,488 Morley et al Mar. 12, 1940 2,218,038 Gaffney Oct. 15, 1940 2,260,964 Wilms Oct. 28, 1941 2,325,225 Burke July 27, 1943 2,330,506 Matthais lSept. 28, 1943 

